Fairest of all: Snow White succeeds in its beauty

Snow White and the Huntsman reinvents the legendary story in a film of astonishing beauty and imagination. It's the last thing you would expect from a picture with this title. It falters in its storytelling, because Snow White must be entirely good, the Queen must be entirely bad, and there's no room for nuance. The end is therefore predetermined. But oh, what a ride.

This is an older Snow White than we usually think of. Played for most of the film by Kristen Stewart, capable and plucky, she spent long years locked in a room of her late father's castle, imprisoned by his cruel second wife (Charlize Theron). When she escapes and sets about righting wrongs, she is a mature young woman, of interest to the two young men who join in her mission. But the movie sidesteps scenes of romance, and in a way, I suppose that's wise.

The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) is a heroic, mead-guzzling hunter who is assigned by the Queen to track down Snow White and bring her back to the castle. After encountering her, however, he is so impressed he changes sides. There is also Prince William (Sam Claflin), smitten by her since childhood, and the two men join in an unstated alliance. Full Review